How many accidents has the Cessna 170A had?

The NTSB has recorded 145 events involving the Cessna 170A: 17 fatal, 13 serious, 19 minor injuries, and 96 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 170A a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 170A has 145 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 170A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 145 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

145

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (32 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
May 28, 2011	Wasilla, AK	N1742D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident were the effects of multipl… The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident were the effects of multiple modifications to the main and tailwheel landing gear through the supplemental type certificate and FAA field approval process, which adversely changed their geometry, and resulted in degraded controllability during landing.
Feb 11, 2011	Baker Lake, WA	N9768A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's encounter with soft terrain during an attempted takeoff from a dry lake bed.
Apr 30, 2010	Minden, NV	N5765C	Incident	substantial	A main landing gear collapse during the landing roll due to fatigue cracking and corrosion of the strut.
Sep 06, 2009	Grain Valley, MO	N9129A	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
Aug 06, 2009	Aurora, IL	N9793A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
Jun 28, 2009	Kasigluk, AK	N5490C	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a crosswind.
Oct 24, 2008	Butler, MO	N5773C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his failure to compensate for wind conditions which resulted in a ground loop.
Jan 06, 2008	Ellsworth, ME	N5407C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing a… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.
Oct 07, 2007	Roxboro, NC	N9910A	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s loss of control during landing.
Oct 04, 2007	Wadesboro, NC	N5494C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 24, 2007	Bozeman, MT	N1316D	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain w… The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain while manuevering to avoid the transmission lines. The sun glare was a factor.
Jun 02, 2007	Smithfield, NC	N9910A	Incident	substantial	Collapse of the left main landing gear during landing, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in substantial damage during a runway excursion.
Apr 11, 2007	Watkins, CO	N1258D	Incident	substantial	A total failure during landing roll of the right brake caused by severely worn shoes, causing the caliper pins to engaged misaligned. A contributing … A total failure during landing roll of the right brake caused by severely worn shoes, causing the caliper pins to engaged misaligned. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to maintain directional control.
Jun 24, 2006	Atwood, IL	N9204A	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane … The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane to nose over. Weather conducive to carburetor icing was a contributing factor.
Apr 12, 2006	Buena Vista, CO	N1327D	Incident	minor	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the crosswinds and the wind gusts.
Apr 06, 2006	Hanford, CA	N5561C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 21, 2005	Ione, WA	N9527A	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure during low-level maneuvering flight, to maintain clearance from a pair of unmarked power lines. Factors include the pilot's intent… The pilot's failure during low-level maneuvering flight, to maintain clearance from a pair of unmarked power lines. Factors include the pilot's intentional low altitude flight/maneuver and wires.
Nov 12, 2004	Opa Locka, FL	N9059A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 23, 2004	Glenwood Spring, CO	N9176A	Serious (1)	substantial	the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. Related factors were condi… the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. Related factors were conditions conducive for carburetor icing and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Mar 05, 2004	North Pole, AK	N515N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delayed response in initiating an aborted takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a snowbank.
Sep 25, 2003	Skwentna, AK	N9006A	Incident	substantial	An overload failure of the axle retaining nut/bolt assembly, which resulted in the separation of the axle/wheel assembly, and subsequent collapse of t… An overload failure of the axle retaining nut/bolt assembly, which resulted in the separation of the axle/wheel assembly, and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear strut during the landing roll.
Jun 27, 2003	Newcomerstown, OH	N9067A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and delayed go-around. Factors in this accident were the up sloping runway.
May 01, 2003	Twentynine Palm, CA	N1607D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The gusty wind condition was a contributing factor.
Mar 29, 2003	Hobbs, NM	N5577C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft directional control during takeoff roll. A factor was the runway light's cement foundation.
Mar 26, 2003	Santa Rosa, NM	N1228D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing for takeoff. A contributing factor was the wind gust.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Cessna 170A Safety Record

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